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City planners need to begin 'thinking green'

''Greener buildings are also known to boost employee morale," Majid Al Mansouri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has observed unveiling the third issue of EAD's quarterly 'Al Dhabi' which focuses on Sustainable Cities and calls for "greener" thinking when it comes to building and design in the UAE.

The issue features informative articles on the future of building 'green' in the UAE, cleaner transportation as well as updates on the latest topics in the field of environment. It also explores the alternative cleaner fuels available out there and their benefits to human health, the environment and people's finances.

Moreover, reflecting EAD's strong belief in partnerships, Al Dhabi features an interview with one of the Agency's key partners, the Ministry of Environment and Water.

On why the specific theme of Sustainable Cities was chosen for this issue, Al Mansouri had this to say: "In the UAE, the majority of the population lives in cities, and today great importance is beginning to be placed on concepts such as Green Design and Sustainable Building.''

According to EAD, 'Al Dhabi' is just one of the tools by which the Agency can achieve its far sighted vision, which is carefully framed to strike a crucial balance between economic and social development as well as environmental considerations.

Adopting a reader-friendly style aimed at all ages and professions, 'Al Dhabi' allows readers to explore the latest developments in the field of environment without bombarding them with detailed scientific information.

Al Dhabi's events calendar keeps readers up to date with environment-related conferences and exhibitions being held in the UAE, the region and abroad.

Information on the EAD's publications as well as its latest projects can also be found, in addition to a column focusing on the newest law regarding Waste Management within the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and its significance to the average citizen and stakeholders.

Featured as well are rarely known environmental facts, quizzes for readers to boost their environmental IQ and a chance for readers to submit their best environmental photographs. In each issue, the quarterly takes the reader on a journey of an environmental spot in the UAE. In this issue, the reader is encouraged to venture out of the city and explore Jebel Hafeet.

This bilingual quarterly was named 'Al Dhabi' to signify the Mountain gazelle, locally known as 'Dhabi' which gave the Emirate of Abu Dhabi its name. The name is also intended to reflect the important consideration this environmental agency gives to the local environment.

The EAD launched the publication back in June 2005 to enhance the community's insight into the world of environment in the hope that environmental awareness will increase and lead to more environmental conservation. The first issue was on the theme of Air Quality and the second introduced the reader to the concept of Sustainable Development.

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